Sheet glass breaking apparatus



Oct. 21, 1941. MORRIS 7 2,259,765

SHEET GLASS BREAKING APPARATUS A Filed Sept. 25, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l31233333235332? IIIIIIIIIflI/IIIII:

) v dttor neg Oct. 21, 1941. J. R. MORRIS SHEET GLASS BREAKING APPARATUSFiled Sept. 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor bg j y Gnorneg v v Oct.21,1941. J, R, MORRIS 2,259,765

SHEET GLASS BREAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 5 937III 43 ,l 46 b a5 [4/1 G /O. 22 d I 7 K91 V lnocntoy 6 Q/OSEPH KMOfi?/6' attorney Oct. 21,. 1941. R MORRIS A 2,259,765

SHEET GLASS BREAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Inventor Q/OSEPH E Mame/.5,

Unsung:

Oct. 21, 1941. R, ms 2,259,765

SHEET GLASS BREAK ING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3n 02 n tor (JOSEIPH fi M ier Cmorneg Patented Oct. 21, 1941 2,259,765SHEET GLASS BREAKING APPARATUS Joseph R. Morris, Toledo, Ohio, assignorto Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 25, 1939, Serial No.296,443

20 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to the cutting of glass sheetsand more particularly to the breaking or cracking of said sheetssubsequent to the scoring thereof along predetermined lines of out.

An aim of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus ofsimple, reliable construction which will operate to automatically breakthe glass sheets along the score lines as the said sheets are beingcarried continuously forwardly; the apparatus operating in a positive,efiicient manner so that a clean sharp break may be had and uniformresults obtained in the cracking of a large number of successive sheets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of theabove character embodying means for breaking the glass sheets alongsubstantially parallel score lines extending in the direction of travelof saidsheets and also along score lines extending transversely thereof;said means being operable to crackthe sheets along the score lines insubstantially the same fashion as they would be broken manually by anexperienced operator, whereby danger of breakage of the glass and theliability of chipping or spalling of the sheet edges is reduced to aminimum.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentduring the course of the following description, when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same:

Fig. '1 is a plan view showing a scored sheet of glass to be brokensupported upon the conveying means, a portion of which is broken away toshow the cracking-off plate;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the breaking appara- Fig. 3 is a transversesection taken substantially on line 34 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of one of the cracking-oil rollers showing thebreaking action thereof;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 66 of Fig.2;

Fig, '7 is a plan view of a modified type of breaking apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig.7;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line llll0 ofFig. '7; and

Fig. 11 is an electrical wiring diagram indicating the operation andcontrol of the cracklng-ofi rollers.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6,inclusive, there is provided a longitudinally extending horizontalsupporting table or the like l5 carried at its opposite sides by thesupports lG-IG. Extending longitudinally of the table i5 is an endlessconveyor belt II for supporting the scored sheet of glass ill to bebroken and for carrying the same beneath the breaking apparatus to behereinafter described. The upper flight of the conveyor belt I! isadapted to slide forwardly over the upper surface of the table l5 andthe said belt may be suitably mounted and driven in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 1.

Suitably secured to the upper surface of the table l5, at a pointintermediate the length thereof, is a cracking-off plate H which is of awidth corresponding substantially to the width of the glass sheet afterit has been broken along the score lines. The cracking-off plate 09 ishere shown as being rectangular and having an abrupt front edge 20,while the marginal edge portions of the plate, along the opposite sidesand also across the back thereof, are beveled as at 2|, 22, and 23respectively. The glass sheet I8 is provided with the two substantiallyparallel score lines 24 and 25 extending adjacent the opposite sideedges thereof and connected adjacent its front edge by the transversescore line 26. To facilitate the cracking oil of the glass outwardly ofthe score lines 24 and 25, there are provided the two so-called enteringcuts or vents 21 and 28 which extend from the transverse score line 26outwardly to the forward edge of the sheet. Although the entering cuts21 and 28 ar shown as being disposed slightly inwardly of the scorelines 24 and 25, they may be in alignment therewith if desired. a

While the invention is not limited to the breaking of any particularshape or size of glass sheet scored in any special manner, it isespecially applicable to the breaking of door and window lights or halfWindshields for automobiles and the like scored both longitudinally andtransversely in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

The cracking-off plate I9 is of substantially the same width as theglass sheet l8 so that the marginal portions a and b of the glass sheet,outwardly of score lines 24 and 25, overhang the beveled marginalportions 2| and 22 respectively of the cracking-off plate when the glasssheet is carried thereover upon the conveyor belt l1.,

The width of the cracking-oi! plate is such that the points at which themarginal portions 2| and 22 thereof begin to bevel, as indicated at cand d respectively, are preferably disposed directly beneath the scorelines 24 and 33 (although they need not be in exact vertical alignmenttherewith) so that only a relatively slight amount of presure isrequired to cause the glass to crack along the lines 24 and 23 and alsoalong the lines 21 and 33. When the glass sheet is in proper positionupon the cracking-oi! plate I! so that the transverse score line 23 isin substantial alignment with the front edge 23 of said cracking-oi!plate, the marginal portion a of the sheet, outwardly of said scoreline, can also be broken off with relatively little pressure. Theprincipal reason for having the rear marginal portion 23 of thecracking-off plate beveled is to facilitate the raising of the forwardedge of the glass sheet and the passing of said sheet forwardly onto thecracking-off plate.

Extending transversely of the table l3 and mounted above thecracking-off plate l9 are the three horizontal parallel shafts 23, 33,and 3| upon which are mounted respectively the holddown rollers 32 and33; the cracking-oft rollers 34 and 33; and the snapping rollers 33 and31. The shaft 23 carrying the hold-down rollers 32 and 33 is journaledat its opposite ends in fixed bearings 33 and 33 mounted upon stationaryhorizontal supporting members 43 and 4! carried by vertical posts 42 and43 respectively. The main purpose of the rollers 32 and 33 is to holdthe glass sheet l3 downwardly in proper position with respect to thecracking-oil plate l3 during the forward movement thereof and also toprevent slippage of said sheet with respect to said cracking-oil plateduring the breaking of the sheet along the score lines. The holddownrollers 32 and 33 may be moved longitudinally upon shaft 23 to thedesired positions or, if preferred, a single long roller may be used.

The shaft 33 carrying the cracking-oi! rollers 34 and 33 is journaled atits opposite ends in bearings 44 and 43 which are mounted for verticalsliding movement upon pairs of vertical bolts 43 and 41 respectivelyalso carried by the horizontal supporting members 43 and 4|. The rollers34 and 33- are normally urged downwardly to yieldably engage the glasssheet as it passes therebeneath by means of tension springs 43 and 43encircling the bolts 43 and 41 respectively and hearing at their upperends against nuts 33 and 3|.

The peripheries of the cracking-oi! rollers 34 and 33 are beveled-s at32 and 33 respectively to correspond substantially to the beveledmarginal portions 3! and 22 of the cracking-R plate 13. In practice, thecracking-oi! rollers are adapted to be disposed in lowered position soastoengagethemarginaledgeportionsaandb of the glas sheet, outwardly ofthe longitudinal score lines, as the said sheet is carried therebeneath.The pressure exerted by the rollersuponthesheetwillcausetheglasstocrackinitially alongthe score lines 21and 33 and this cracking will then be continued. as the glass movesforwardly, along the score lines 34 and 23 so that the entire side edgesof the sheet are removed without any attention on the part of theoperator.

It is preferred, however, that the cracking-off rollersbeliftedfrom theglasssheetas soon as thesheethasbeenbrokentopreventcrushing of thoseportions of the glass removed from the and of the sheet engages andessence sheet and so that the danger of chipping or marring of the sheetedges will be avoided. It is also desirable that the cracking-offrollers be maintained in engagement with the glass only suflicientlylong to effect the breaking operation, so

that they will function to crack the glass in sub stantially the samemanner as would be accomplished manually by a skilled operator. In thisway, clean, sharp breaks can be obtained in a thoroughly practical andefflcient manner.

To this end, as soon as the cracking of! of the glass sheet has takenplace. the cracking-01f rollers 34 and 33 are adapted to be lifted fromcontact with the glass and maintained in raised position as theremainder of the sheet passes therebeneath. This is accomplished bymeans of a solenoid 34 having operative connections with the supportingmeans for the cracking-oil rollers and controlled by movement of theglass sheet I8 beneath a switch actuating wheel 33 (Fig. 4). The wheel33 is mounted upon a transverse shaft or pin 33 carried at the outer endof a substantially horizontal arm 31 pivoted at its inner end asat33toablock 33securedtotheunderside of a horizontal bar 33. The bar 33extends longitudinally of the table l3 and is slotted as at 3| toreceive a vertical supporting member 32 secured at its upper end by nuts33 to the horizontal portion of an inverted U-shaped frame 34 straddlingthe table l3 and conveyor belt ll. Carried upon the outer end of the bar33 is a switch box,33 housing a suitable switch provided with a springpresed contact 33. Passing through the arm 31 is a set screw 31 adaptedto engage the contact 33 and eifect the operation of the switch. Theswitch is connected in circuit with the solenoid 34 so that, uponengagement of the set screw 31 with contact 33, the solenoid 34 will beenergized, whereas when set screw 31 is moved out of engagement withcontact 33 the solenoid will be deenergized.

The solenoid 34 is provided with a verticallymovable plunger 33 andfastened thereto is one end of a chain 33 which passes upwardly over asprocket I3, carried by bracket II, and is attached at its opposite endto a substantially vertical lever 12, said lever being pivoted adjacentitslowerendasat'l3totheframe34. Fastened to the lever 12 above andbeneath the pivot point I3 are chains 14 and I3 trained over sprocketsl3 and 11 respectively and attached to the bearings 44 and 43 in whichshaft 33 is mounted. With this construction; it will be apparent thatupon energization of the solenoid 34 the plunger 33 will be drawndownwardly to swing the lever I! in a counter-clockwise direction uponpivot 13 (Fig. 3) which will sorvetoliftthebearings and 43 and thusraise the cracking-oi! rollers 34 and 33 from the glass sheet. This enes s of when lifts wheel 33. when thewheel 33isralsed,thesetscrew3lwlliactuate contact 33 to eifecttheclosing thethrough the solenoid 34. The circuit the solenoid will be maintainedclosed glass sheetasitpassesbeneathwheel33,bntassoonasthewheeldropsoiftherearedgeof sheet the circuit thromh thesolenoid will automatically broken and the cracking-oil. ers lowered sothat they are ready for the sheet. Therefore, the cracking-oi! rollersand 33 engagetheglussheetonlymomentarily and only sumciently long tostart the cracking cracking-off rollers of! of the glass along thelongitudinal score lines. This results in the cracking off of the glassin substantially the same manner in which it would be done by a skilledoperator.

The shaft 8| carrying the snapping rollers 38 and 81 is mounted at itsopposite ends in fixed bearings 18 and I8 also carried by the supportingmembers II and 4|. Although only a single snapping roller need be used.two such rollers are here provided and. as best shown in Fig. 6, theserollers are adapted to engage the forward edge of the glass sheet l8 andto crack the said sheet along the transverse score line 20. The snappingrollers and 8! simply ride over the upper surface of the glass sheetwithout causing any injury thereto. It will also be seen from aninspection of Fig. 2 that the rollers 38 and 81 are preferably arrangedto one side of the glass sheet rather than at the longitudinal centerthereof or at both sides of the longitudinal center. The rollers are,arranged in this manner so that they will start the cracking oiloperation at one side of the sheet or, in other words, at one end of thetransverse score line 28, with the break being continued along saidscore line in the usual manner. In this way, the rollers 38 and 31 alsofunction to crack the glass sheet along score line 26 in substantiallythe same manner that it would be cracked by a skilled operator.

To facilitate the positioning of the glass sheet it upon conveyor beltI! and the passage thereof forwardly beneath the hold-down rollers 32and 33, there may be provided, adjacent one side of the conveyor belt, aplurality of horizontally aligned guide rolls 80. When the glass sheetis placed on the endless conveyor, the inner edge thereof is butted upagainst the guide rolls 80 which then guide the sheet forwardly beneaththe hold-down rollers.

With the use of the apparatus above described, the cracking of sheets ofglass along previously made score lines may be accomplished in asubstantially continuous manner. The sheets, as rapidly as they arescored, can be passed beneath the breaking rollers which willautomatically break the glass as it is carried forwardly. In,

this manner, uniform results may be obtained in the breaking of a largenumber of successive sheets and, in addition, clean, even breaks may beobtained with little or no danger of glass breakage or chipping ormarring of the sheet edges. vThe hold-down rollers, cracking-oi! rollersand snapping rollers are preferably of rubber, rubber composition or thelike. It will of course be appreciated that the apparatus is adaptableto the breaking of glass sheets of other shapes an'd/or sizes by the useof a cracking-oil plate of the required shape and size and bypositioning the hold-down rollers, cracking-oi! rollers. and snappingrollers accordingly upon their respective shafts. The apparatus is,however, of especial utility in the cracking of glass sheets scored in amanner similar to that illustrated in Fig. l, and a machine forautomatically scoring glass sheets in this manner is fully disclosed andclaimed in my co-pending application filed of even date herewith SerialNo. 296,444.

Modified breaking apparatus illustrated in Figs.

7 to 11, inclusive same manner. The main differences, however, betweenthe two embodiments of the invention is that in Fig. 1 only a singlepair of cracking-oil rollers is used and maintained in lowered positionuntil the cracking of the glass sheet takes place, after which they areraised, whereas in Fig. 7 two pairs of cracking-off rollers areprovided, each pair being pivotally mounted and adapted to effect thecracking of! of one marginal edge portion of the sheet. Also, thesecracking-off rollers are maintained in raised position above the glasssheet and are lowered to engage said sheet when it is moved to apredetermined position therebeneath. Further, the hold-down rollers areeliminated and only a single snapping roller employed.

With reference more particularly to Figures 7 to 11, there is provided,as in Fig. l, the horizontal table I8 over which is trained the upperflight of the endless conveyor belt ll for receiving and carrying thescored sheets of glass I8 forwardly into position upon the cracking-01fplate I8. Mounted above the table I! are the three parallel transverseshafts 8|, 82, and 83;

- the shafts 8I and 82 carrying the two pairs of cracking-off rollers88, 88 and 88, 81 respectively, while the shaft 83 carried the singlesnapping roller 88. The peripheries of the cracking-01f rollers arebeveled as at 88 to correspond to the beveled marginal portions of thecracking-oil! plate as above described.

The shaft 8| carrying cracking-oil rollers 84 and 85 is journaled at itsopposite ends in bearings 88 and 8| slidably mounted upon pairs ofvertical bolts 82 and 83 respectively secured to the horizontalsupporting members 84 and 85 supported by posts 88 and 81. The bearings80 and 8I are normally urged downwardly by coil springs 88 and 88encircling the bolts 82 and 83 respectively and hearing at their upperends against nuts M0 and IOI threaded upon said bolts. The cracking-offrollers 84 and 85 are adapted to be raised ,and lowered by a pivotalmovement of the shaft 8|. In other words, the

- shaft is pivotally mounted at one end upon the bolts 83 and theopposite end thereof adapted to be raised and lowered to move thecracking-01f rollers vertically into and out of engagement with theglass sheet. This is accomplished, as shown in Fig. 8, by a solenoid I02carried by a bracket I08 secured to the, inverted substantially U-shapedsupporting frame I 04 which straddles the table I5. The solenoid I02 isprovided with a vertically movable plunger I05 and attached to the upperend thereof is one end of a chain I 08; said chain passing upwardly overa sprocket I01 carried by bracket I08 and fastened at its opposite endto a substantially vertical operating lever I08 adjacent the upper endthereof. The operating lever I08 is pivoted ad-' jacent its lower end asat I I0 to the frame I 04.

Also fastened to the operating lever I 08, above pivot point III, is oneend of a chain I II trained about a sprocket H2 and attached at itsoppogiite end to the bearing as indicated at 3 in Upon energization ofthe solenoid I02, the plunger I05 thereof will be drawn downwardly andthe lever I08 swung to the left as shown in Fig. 8. This will result inthe raising of the bearing 80 through the chain connection III whichwill cause a pivoting of the shaft 8| upon vertical pins 83 to lift thecracking-off roller 88' out of contact with the glass sheet. Thecracking-off roller 85 can also be lifted entirely clear of the glass,if desired, or it can be allowed to remain in slight engagement with theedge of the sheet as shown in Fig. 8. At this time, however, thepressure of the roller 85 on the glass will not be sufilcient to effectthe breaking of the sheet along the score line. As soon as the solenoidI82 is deenergized, the weight of the bearing 88 and associated partswill swing the lever I88 in the opposite direction to lower thecracking-off roller 85 so that the pressure thereof upon the glass willbe increased to a point suflicient to efiect the cracking of .the sheetalong the score line 25. The cracking-off roller will also be lowered toengage the opposite edge of the sheet; but before this occurs, the saidedge will have been broken off along the score line 24 by thecracking-off rollers 88 and 81 as will be more clearly hereinafterapparent.

The shaft 82 carrying the cracking-off rollers 85 and 81 is joumaled atits opposite ends in bearings H4 and H slidable upon vertical bolts H5and H1 respectively also carried by the horizontal supporting members 84and 85. The bearings H4 and H5 are also normally urged downwardly bysprings H8 and H8 encircling bolts H8 and H1 respectively and bearing attheir upper ends against nuts I28 and I2I threaded upon said bolts. Theshaft 82 is pivotally mounted at one end upon the vertical pins II8while the raising and lowering of the opposite end thereof is controlledby a solenoid I22 carried by a bracket I28 secured to the supportingframe I24. The solenoid I22 is provided with avertically movable plungerI25 to which is fastened one end of a chain I28 which passes upwardlyaround a sprocket I21 and is attached at its opposite end to asubstantially vertical lever I28 adjacent the upper end thereof. Thelever I28 is pivoted adjacent its lower end as at I28 to the supportingframe I24. Also fastened to the lever I28 beneath pivot points I28 isone end of a chain I88 trained about a sprocket I8I and secured at itsopposite end to the bearing II5 as at I82 in Fig. 7. It will be notedthat the shafts 8I and 82 are pivotally mounted at opposite sides of theendless conveyor I1.

When the solenoid I22 is energized, the lever I28 will be swung to thefull line position in Fig. 9, whereupon the bearing II5 will be raisedupwardly through the chain connection I88 to tilt the shaft 82 upon thevertical pins II8 and thereby lift the cracking-off roller 81 fromcontact with the glass sheet. The cracking-oi! roller 85 can also belifted clear of the glass sheet if desired but is shown in Fig. 9 ascontacting the edge of the sheet. However, at this time the pressure ofroller 88 upon the glass is not sufllcientto crack the glass along thescore line 25 as the sheet moves therebeneath. Upon deenergization ofthe solenoid I22, the weight of the bearing H5 and associated parts willswing the lever I28 to the right to lower the cracking-off roller 88 so.that the pressure thereof upon the glass will be increased to a pointsumcient to effect the cracking of the glass sheet along the score line24. By the time the roller 81 contacts the glass sheet, the said sheetwill have been broken along score line 25 by the cracking-off roller 85as above descrbied.

In operation, the two shafts 8I and 82 are normally maintained in tiltedposition so that when the glass sheet I8 is carried beneath thecracking-off rollers, the rollers 84 and 81 will be spaced thereabove asshown in Figs. 8 and 9,

; plate I54.

are adapted to be simultaneously lowered, at'

which time cracking-oi! roller will break the glass sheet along scoreline 25 while cracking-off roller 89 will break the glass along scoreline 24. The engagement of the cracking-oi! rollers with the glass sheetis only momentary in that after the sheet has been properly broken thesaid rollers are again moved to raised position.

The energization and deenergization of the solenoids I82 and I22 isadapted to be controlled by movement of the glass sheet beneath a pairof wheels I38 and I84 adapted to actuate switches I85 and I88respectively carried at the opposite ends of a horizontal bar I81. Thebar I81 is carried by vertical supporting elements I88 and I88 securedat their upper ends to the supporting frames I84 and I24 respectively bynuts or the like I48 and I. Each wheel I88 and I84 isrotatably mountedupon a horizontal shaft or pin I42 (Fig. 10) in the outer end of an armI48 which is pivoted at its inner end as at I'44 to a block I45 carriedupon the underside of the horizontal bar I81. The bar I81 islongitudinally slotted as at I48 so that it can be adjusted horizontallyto properly position the wheels I88 and I84 with respect to thecracking-off rollers. Each switch I85 and I88 is provided with a springpressed contact I41, the actuation of which is controlled by a set screwI48 passing through the arm I48 of the respective wheel I 88 or I84. Theswitches I85-and I85 are connected in series with one another and alsoin series with the solenoids I82 and I22 in the manner illustrated bythe wiring diagram in Fig. 11 to which reference will now be had.

The switch I85 comprises a pair of contacts I48 and I58 between which ismovable a contact plate I5I, while switch I88 also includes contacts I52and I58 between which is movable a contact The contact plates III andI54 of switches I85 and I88 are connected by a wire I55, while a wireI58 runs between the contacts I48 and I53 of said switches. The wire I58is connected by a wire I51 to the positive main line I58. The contactsI58 and I52 of switches I85 and I88 are connected by awire I58 andleading therefrom to the solenoids I82 and I 22 is a wire I88. Thesolenoids in turn are connected to the negative main line "I by wiresI82 and I58.

In the operation of the apparatus and when switch I85 and throw thecontact plate "I thereof out of engagement with contact I55 and intoengagement with contact I48. This will complete the circuit through thesolenoids I82 and I22, causing the energization thereof and thesimultaneous raising of the cracking-off rollers 84, 85 and 88, 81.

At this time, the current will pass from the positive main line I58through wire I51, contact tact I53. Thiawill again break the circuitthrough the solenoids, causing the deenergization thereof and thelowering of the cracking-on rollers to effect the .breaking of the glasssheet along the score lines 24 and 26 as described above. When theforward edge of the glass sheet engages wheel I34, it will be properlypositioned upon the cracking-off plate I9 and the wheel. I 33 'willstill be held in elevated position by the rear edge of the sheet. Assoon as the rear edge of the sheet passes beyond wheel I33, however, the

contact plate III of switch I36 will-be automatically returned intoengagement with'contact I66 to againcomplete the circuit through thesolenoids and effect the raising of the cracking-oil! rollers.

At this time, the current will pass from the positive main line throughwires I 51 and I66, contact plate I54 of switch I36, wire I65, contactplate I5I of switch- I35, and wires I66 and I66 to the solenoids, andthence from the solenoids to the negative main line through wires I 62and I63. In this way, the cracking-off rollers are maintained in loweredposition only momentarily or. in other words, only sufllcientlylong tostart the desired cracking off of the marginal portions of the glasssheet. After the sheet passes beyond the wheel I34, the contact plateI54 of switch I36 will be automatically returned into engagement withcontact I52 to again break the circuit through the solenoids and therebycause a loweringof the cracking-oil rollers so that they are in positionfor the next breaking cycle. In practice, when the cracking-oil rollersare lowered.

the roller 89 will initially engage the marginal portion a and theroller 85 the marginal portion 1) of the glass sheet at the forward andrear edges of the sheet respectively.

The shaft 83 carrying snapping roller 86 is joumaled at its oppositeends in flxed bearings I64 and I65. After the glass sheet passes beneaththe cracking-oil rollers, it passes beneath roller 88 and this rollerexerts sufllcient pressure thereon to cause the cracking of the sheetalong the transverse score line 26. As will be noted in Fig. '7, theroller 88 is preferably positioned to one side of the longitudinalcenter of the sheet so as to facilitate the cracking off operation.

In order to accurately position the glass sheet upon the endlessconveyor belt I1 and guide it beneath the breaking apparatus, there maybe carried along one side of the table IS a plurality of horizontallyaligned, freely rotatable guide rollers I66, against which the innerside edge of the glass sheet is adapted to abut. There may also bepositioned at the opposite side of the table a plurality of rollers I61spring pressed to yieldably maintain the sheet in engagement with theguide rollers I66 as said sheet is carried forwardly. Only one rollerI61 has been shown and this roller is carried upon one end of an anglebracket I68 pivoted as at I69, said roller being normally urged inwardlyabout said pivot by a tension spring I10 lever I68 and at its oppositeend to a lug III on bracket plate I12 also carried by the table I6.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim. 1. In an apparatus for automatically breaklng glass sheetsafter they have been scored along a predetermined line of cut, aflexible endless conveyor having an upper run for supporting the scoredglass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationarycracking-oi! plate arranged beneath the upper run of the endlessconveyor and onto which the glass sheet is carried by said endlessconveyor, and a cracking-off element mounted above the said endlessconveyor and adapted to engage the glass sheet when in position uponsaid cracking-oil. plate to break same along the score line.

2. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along a predetermined line of cut, a flexible endlessconveyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheethorizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationary cracking-offplate arranged beneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and havinga flat upper surface onto which the glass sheet is carried by saidendless conveyor, the marginal edge portion of the sheet outwardly ofthe score line being adapted to project beyond the flat upper surface ofsaid cracking-ofl' plate, and a cracking-off element moimted above thesaid endless conveyor and adapted to engage the marginal edge portion ofthe glass sheet outwardly of the score line when said sheet is inposition upon said cracking-off plate to break the same along the scoreline.

3. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along a predetermined line of cut, a flexible endlessconveyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheethorizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationary cracking-offplate arranged beneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and ontowhich the glass sheet is carried by said endless conveyor, saidcracking-off plate having a flat upper surface and a beveled marginaledge portion, the marginal edge portion of the sheet outwardly of thescore line overlying the beveled marginal edge portion of saidcracking-ofl plate, and a cracking-off element mounted above the saidendless conveyor and having a beveled portion disposed opposite thebeveled portion .of said cracking-ofl' plate and adapted to engage, themarginal edge portion of the sheet outwardly of the score line when saidsheet is in position upon said cracking-oil plate to break the samealong the score line.

4. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along predetermined lines of cut, a flexible endlessconveyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheethorizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationary cracking-oil?plate arranged beneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and ontowhich the glass sheet is carried by said endless conveyor, and a pair ofcrackingoif rollers mounted above the said endless conveyor and adaptedto engage the glass sheet when in position upon said cracking-oil plateto break connected at one end to the opposite end of angle the samealong the score lines.

5. In an apparatus for automatically breakingglaasshe'etsattertheyhavebeenscoredalong predetermined lines of cut, aiIexible endless con- 4 veyorhavinganuppernmforsupportingthe scoredglass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly. a stationarycracking-oi! plate arrangedhmeaththeupper run of. the endless conveyorand having a list upper surface onto which the glam sheet is carried bysaid endless conveyor, the marginal edge portions of the sheet outwardlyof the score linesbeing adapted to lmvingbeveledportions clad-portionsof said cracking-oil! plate and adaptedtoengagethemarginaledgeportionsof the glam sheet outwardly of the scorelines when.platetobreakthesamealongthescorelines.

'I. In an apparatus for automatically breakinggla-sheetsaftertheyhavebeen scored along a predetermined line 01 cut, aflexible endless conveyor having an upper run for supporting the scoredglass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationarycracking-oi! plate onto whichtheglass sheetisarranged beneaththeupperrun of the endless conveyor and carried by said endless conveyor, acracking-oi! elementadaptedtoengagetheglasssheetwheninpositionuponsaideracking-oflpiatetobreakthesame along theaeore line, and means for moving the said crackingollelement vertically relative to the said cracking-off plate.

8. In an apparatus for'automatically breaking glass sheets after-theyhave been scored along a predetermined line of cut, a flexibleendless-conveyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glasssheet horizontally and for carrying forwardly, a stationary cracking-oi!plate arranged beneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and havinga flat upper surface onto which the glass sheet is carried by saidendless conveyor. the marginal edge portion of the sheet outwardly ofthe score line being adapted to projest beyond the flat urgier surfaceof said cracklug-oi! plate, a cracking-of! element mounted above thesaid endless conveyor and adapted to en age the marginal edge portion orthe glass sheet outwardly of the score line when said sheet.

is in position upon said cracking-oi! plate to bruk the same along thescore line, and means controlled by movement of the glass sheet toefiectthe raising and lowering of the said crackingdisposed opposite thebevtatobreakthesamealongtheacore amanapparatusiorautcmaticallybreakingglass sheetsaitertheyhavebeennoredaiongapredeterminedlineofcutmeansforsupportingtheseoredglaaasheethorisontallyandforcarrying it forwardly,a'cracking-oii! plate onto whichtheglasssheetispassedsaidcracking-oflplatehavingaflatuppermrfaceandabeveledmarginaledgeportiomthemargimiedgeporportion ofsaid craeking-oif'plateand adapted to I engagethemarginaledgeportionoitheaheetoutwardlyofthescorelinewhensaidsheetis inposition upon said cracking-offplate tobreak the samealongthescore line,andelectrically saidcracking-0d plate. I

10. In an apparatus for automaticallybreakinsglasssheetsaftertheyhavebeenscoredalong predetermined lines orcut, a flexible endless conveyor having an upper run for supporting thescored glass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, astationary cracking-oi! plate arranged beneath the upper run of theendless conveyor and onto which the glass sheetis carried by saidendless conveyor, a pair of cracking-oi! rollers mounted above the saidendlesa'conveyor andadaptedtoengagctheglasssheetwhenin position uponsaid cracking-oi! plate to break the same along the score lines, andmeans for moving the said cracking-oil. rollers vertically relative tothe said cracking-oi! plate.

Eel

EEEEEE means controlled by movement of sheet to eifect the'raising andloweringvof said cracking-of! rollers relative to the cracking-oi!plate. Y

12. In an apparatus for automatically breahng glass sheetsaftertheyhaveheenaeoredalcng -predeterminedllnuofcut.meansforsupportingthe scored glass sheet horiamtally and for carrying it forwardly, acracking-o! plate onto plateandadaptedtoensagethemarginaledge oi!element relative to the said cracking-oi! plate. portions of the glasssheet outwardlyot the score lines when said sheet is in position uponsaid cracking-oil. plate to break the same along the score lines, andelectrically operated means actuated by the forward edge of the glasssheet to effect the raising and lowering of the said cracking-oflrollers relative to the said cracking-oil plate.

13. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along a predetermined line of cut, means for supportingthe scored glass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, acracking-oil plate onto which the glass sheet is passed; a crackingof!element mounted above the sheet supporting means and adapted toengage'the glass sheet when in position upon said cracking-oft plate tobreak the same along the score line, means for moving said cracking-oilelement comprising magnetic means and operative connections between saidmagnetic means and the cracking-off element, and means connected inseries with saidmagnetic means and actuated by the for-' ward edge ofthe glass sheet for causing the energization of the said magnetic meansto effect the raising of the said cracking-oi! element' 14. In anapparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after they have beenscored along predetermined lines of cut, a flexible endless conveyorhaving an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheet horizontallyand for carrying it forwardly, a stationary cracking-off plate arrangedbeneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and onto which the glasssheet is carried by said endless conveyor, a pair of crackingofl rollersmounted above the said endless conveyor and adapted to engage the glasssheet when in position upon said cracking-oil plate to break the samealong the score lines, means for moving said cracking-off rollersvertically relative to said cracking-oi! plate comprising magnetic meansand operative connections between said magnetic means and thecracking-oil rollers, and means connected in series with said magneticmeans and actuated by the forward edge of the glass sheet for causingthe energization of the 'said magnetic means to effect the raising ofthe said cracking-off rollers.

15. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along predetermined lines of cut, a flexible endlesscon- -veyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheethorizontally and for carrying it forwardly, a stationary cracking-offplate arranged beneath the upper run of the endless conveyor and ontowhich the glass sheet is carried by said endless conveyor, a pair ofcracking-01f rollers mounted above the said endless conveyor and adaptedto engage the glass sheet when in position upon said cracking-off plateto break the same along the score lines, means for moving saidcracking-off rollers vertically relative to said cracking-on platecomprising a solenoid and operative connections between said solenoidand the cracking-H rollers, and means connected in series with saidsolenoid and actuated by the forward edge of the glass sheet for causingthe energization of the said solenoid to effect the raising of the saidcracking-oil rollers, said solenoid being automatically deenergized tocause a lowering of the said cracking-off rollers when the glass sheetpasses out of engagement with said last-named means.

16. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along predetermined lines of cut, means for supportingthe scored glass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, acracking-off plate onto which the glass sheet is passed, two pairs ofcracking-o3 rollers mounted above the sheet supporting means and adaptedto engage the glass sheet when in position upon said cracking-off plateto break the same along the score lines. means for moving said pairs ofcracking-oil rollers vertically relative to said cracking-of! platecomprising magnetic means for each pair of cracking-of! rollers andoperative connections between said magnetic means and the respectivepair of rollers, and means connected in series with said magnetic meansand actuated by the forward edge of the glass sheet for causing theenergization of the said magnetic means to effeet the raising of thesaid cracking-oi! rollers before the glass sheet passes onto thecrackingoif plate and for also causing the'subsequent deenergization ofsaid magnetic means when the glass sheet is in a predetermined positionupon the cracking-oil. plate to cause the lowering of said cracking-oilrollers and the breaking of the glass sheet along the score lines.

1'1. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along predetermined lines of cut, means forsupportingthe scored glass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, acracking-of! plate onto which the glass sheet is passed, two pairs ofcracking-off rollers mounted above the sheet supporting means andadapted to engage the glass sheet when in position upon saidcracking-oil. plate to break the same along the score lines, means formoving said pairs of cracking-oil. rollers vertically relative to saidcracking-oil plate comprising a sole noid for each pair of cracking-of!rollers and operativeconnections between said solenoid and therespective pair of rollers, control means connected in series with saidsolenoids and actuated by the forward edge of the glass sheet forcausing the energization of said solenoids to effect the raising of thesaid cracking-oil rollers before the glass sheet passes onto thecracking-oi! plate,..

and a second control means also connected in series with said solenoidsand engageable by the forward edge of the glass sheet when said sheetreaches a predetermined position upon said cracking-oil plate forcausing the deenergization of said solenoids and the lowering of saidcracking-oil rollers to break the glass sheet along the score lines.

18. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets after theyhave been scored along predetermined lines of cut, means for supportingthe scored glass sheet horizontally and for carrying it forwardly, acracking-off plate onto which the glass sheet is passed, two pairs ofcracking-off rollers mounted above the sheet supporting means andadapted to engage the glass sheet when in position upon saidcracking-oil plate to break the same along the score lines, means formoving said pairs of cracking-off rollers vertically relative to saidcracking-oi! plate comprising a solenoid for each pair of crackingoffrollers and operative connections between said solenoid and therespective pair of rollers, control means connected in series with saidsolenoids and actuated by the forward edge of the glass sheet forcausing the energization of said solenoids to effect the raising of thesaid cracking-oil rollers before the glass sheet passes onto thecracking-oil plate, and a second control means also connected in serieswith said solenoids and engageable by the forward edge of the glasssheet when said sheet reaches a predetermined position upon saidcracking-oi! plate for causing the deenergiz'ation of saidsole- 4 noidsand the lowering oi. said crackingoii rollers to break the glass sheetalong the score lines, said solenoids being again automaticallyenergised to raise the cracking-oi! rollers when the rear edge of theglass sheet passes out arranged beneath the upper run 0! the endlessconveyor andonw which the glass sheet is carried by said endlessconveyor, and a snapping aasones roller mounted above the said endlessconveyor and adapted to engage the iorward edge of the glass sheet whensaid sheet is in position upon said cracking-o8 plate to eiiect thebreaking oi the same along the score line.

20. In an apparatus for automatically breaking glass sheets aitertheyhave been scored along a predetermined line of cut, a flexible endlessconveyor having an upper run for supporting the scored glass sheethorizontally and for carrying it forwardly. a stationary cracking-o!plate arranged beneath the' upper run of the endless conveyor and ontowhich the glass sheet is car-' ried by said endless conveyor, and asnapping roller mounted above the said endless conveyor and adapted toengage the forward edge oi. the glass sheet when said' sheet is inposition upon said cracking-o! plate to eii'ect the breaking of the samealong the swre line, said snapping roller being positioned to engage theglass sheet adjacent one end of said score line.

JOSEPH n. 'uonms.

